Protective cover system including a corrosion inhibitor

ABSTRACT

A protective cover system ( 100 ) for inhibiting corrosion of a metallic object. The protective cover system includes a cover ( 101, 200, 600 ) for defining a microenvironment and a corrosion inhibitor source for releasing one or more corrosion inhibitors into the microenvironment. In one embodiment, cover  200  comprises an outer liquid-impermeable layer ( 204 ), an inner liquid-permeable layer ( 202 ), and a superabsorbent layer ( 206 ) located between the outer and inner layers. In another embodiment, cover  600  includes a water-vapor-permeable layer ( 602 ) and a porous support layer ( 606 ) for supporting the water-vapor-permeable layer. In both of these embodiments, one or more corrosion inhibitors may be incorporated into the cover in one or more of the corresponding above-mentioned layers or in a layer separate from these layers, or may be provided in a separate container that fluidly communicates the corrosion inhibitor(s) to the microenvironment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationserial No. 09/557,845, filed Apr. 26, 2000. In addition, thisapplication claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/315,317 filed Aug. 28, 2001, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/315,668 filed Aug. 29, 2001, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/386,017 filed Jun. 5, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of coversfor protecting materials from environmental elements. More particularly,the present invention is directed to a protective cover system thatincludes a corrosion inhibitor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Attention to corrosion and corrosion mitigation have becomeincreasingly important for economic and safety reasons. Based onestimates made in the mid 1990's, overall costs attributable tocorrosion account for over $100 billion a year in the United Statesalone. These costs typically account for only the direct costs ofcorrosion and do not include the associated indirect costs, such assafety, plant downtime, loss of product, contamination and over-design.

[0004] Corrosion may be defined as the destructive effect of anenvironment on a metal or metal alloy. Nearly every metallic corrosionprocess involves the transfer of electronic charge in aqueous solution,and most corrosion reactions take place in the presence of water ineither liquid or condensed vapor phases and also in high humidity.Corrosion is particularly a problem in marine environments experiencedin places such as shipboard, aboard off-shore drilling rigs, and incoastal regions, among others, where seawater enhances corrosionreactions due to increased ion transport, pH effects, and elevateddissolved oxygen levels that in turn enhance levels of hydrogen ions.Corrosion reactions are further accelerated in marine environments bycontaminants, such as chloride ions, present in seawater. Corrosiondamage to equipment stored and used in marine environments is atremendous problem, impacting maintenance costs, availability, repair,and reliability.

[0005] Equipment stored, e.g., onboard a ship or in coastal regions, isoften stored in protective storage systems that have proved to be lessthan optimally effective. At best, such equipment is covered withwaterproof tarpaulins, although often, especially for shipboardequipment, it is not covered properly and is directly exposed to amarine environment, which leads to rapid corrosion. Even when equipmentis covered by waterproof tarpaulins, seawater still penetrates throughand/or around the tarpaulins into the protected spaces where it collectsand corrodes the underlying equipment. Also, conventional storagesystems can be cumbersome to use and maintain, and are therefore oftenavoided. As a result, corrosion continues to be a significant and costlyproblem, requiring many hours of rust removal, painting, and repair thatoften lead to premature equipment replacement.

[0006]FIG. 1 shows a conventional waterproof cover 20 used to protect anobject, such as metallic object 22 resting on a surface 24, frommoisture, such as rain, sea spray, dew and the like. Cover 20 has anouter surface 26, an inner surface 28, and an area 30 defined by aperipheral edge 32. Cover 20 is shown covering object 22 in a typicalmanner, wherein a microenvironment is generally defined by the spaceenclosed by the cover. The microenvironment comprises a number ofinterior regions, such as regions 34, located between cover 20 andobject 22.

[0007] Generally, conventional covers, such as cover 20, comprise atleast one liquid-impermeable layer made of, e.g., a tightly-wovenpolymer fabric or a non-woven structure, such as a continuous film orother membrane. More complex conventional covers may include one or moreadditional layers that provide them with additional features, such ashighly durable outer surfaces to withstand harsh environments andnon-abrasive inner-surfaces to minimize mechanical damage to the objectcovered. Other conventional covers are made of vapor-permeable, porousmaterials, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or the like.

[0008] The air in interior regions 34 generally never has a moisturecontent less than the moisture content of the ambient environment. Ifthe moisture content of the ambient environment rises, the moisturecontent of regions 34 also rises due to the inflow of moisture(illustrated by arrow 36) through gaps between cover 20 and surface 24at peripheral edges 32 of the cover. Eventually, the moisture content ofthe ambient environment 38 and regions 34 equalize. Once the additionalmoisture is in the microenvironment, it can become trapped, asillustrated by arrows 40. Moisture levels can quickly become elevated,and the air saturated. In such a case, condensation could occur on theobject 22. Because the moisture content of interior regions 34 neverfalls below that of ambient environment 38, conventional covers are notvery effective in high moisture environments, such as marine andhigh-humidity environments. Moreover, once moisture enters themicroenvironment, it can take a long time to dissipate, if at all.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a protectivecover system for protecting an object by defining a microenvironmentadjacent the object when the protective cover system is applied to theobject. The protective cover system comprises a cover for being appliedto the object and defining a microenvironment when the cover is appliedto the object. The cover includes a first layer that comprises anon-porous water-vapor-permeable layer. A corrosion inhibitor sourceprovides at least one corrosion inhibitor to the microenvironment whenthe cover is applied to the object. The corrosion inhibitor source is incommunication with the microenvironment when the cover is applied to theobject so that at least some of the corrosion inhibitor may enter themicroenvironment.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to aprotective cover system for inhibiting corrosion of an object by forminga microenvironment adjacent the object when the protective cover systemis applied to the object. The protective cover system comprises a coverthat includes a first layer having a first face and a second face. Thefirst layer comprises an absorbent material adapted to absorb and storemoisture. A second layer is located adjacent the first face of the firstlayer and is liquid-impermeable. A corrosion inhibitor source thatcomprises at least one corrosion inhibitor fluidly communicates with themicroenvirorunent when the cover is applied to the object.

[0011] In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to apanelized cover system for protecting an object from moisture. Thepanelized cover system comprises a plurality of panels each comprising afirst layer having a first face and a second face. The first layercomprises an absorbent material adapted to absorb and store themoisture. A second layer is located adjacent the first face of the firstlayer. The second layer is liquid-impermeable. Each of the plurality ofpanels is fastened to at least one adjacent one of the plurality ofpanels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings showa form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it shouldbe understood that the present invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art cover showncovering an object;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a protective cover system ofthe present invention showing the cover thereof covering an object;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of one embodiment ofthe protective cover system of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternativeembodiment of the protective cover system of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one edge of the cover shown in FIG.2, for a particular embodiment of the cover of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of theprotective cover of the present invention comprising a plurality ofpanels removably secured to one another;

[0019]FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one of theperipheral edges of one of the panels taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;and

[0020] FIGS. 8A-C are each an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portionof other alternative embodiments of the protective cover system of thepresent invention; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of anotheralternative embodiment of the protective cover system of the presentinvention having a corrosion inhibitor contained in a container separatefrom the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, FIG. 2 illustrates a protective, corrosion-inhibitingcover system, which is generally denoted by the numeral 100. Coversystem 100 may include a cover 101 that may be made of flexiblematerials and includes an outer surface 102, an inner surface 104, and aperipheral edge 106 that defines an area 108, which may be shaped asdesired to suit a particular application. Alternatively, cover 101 mayinclude rigid materials that may be formed into a shape conforming tothe shape of the object to be covered or to another shape suitable forthat object. When covering an object, such as a metallic object 110resting on a surface 112, outer surface 102 is exposed to an ambientenvironment 114 and inner surface 104 defines a microenvironmentcomprising one or more interior regions, such as the interior regions116, located between inner surface 104 and object 110 and/or surface112.

[0023] Although object 110 is generally protected from elements presentin ambient environment 114 by cover 101, often moisture from the ambientenvironment tends to infiltrate (as illustrated by arrow 118) interiorregions 1 16 through gaps between peripheral edge 106 of the cover andsurface 112. A feature of the present invention allows cover 101 toabsorb and store such infiltrating moisture (as illustrated by arrows120), and other moisture trapped within interior regions 116, so as tomaintain the moisture content of the microenvironment at a low level,often below the moisture content of ambient environment 114. Anotherfeature of the present invention allows cover 101 to absorb and store bywicking action any water present on the surface of object 110 that comesinto contact with inner surface 104 of the cover. The result is alow-moisture microenvironment that inhibits metallic object 110 fromcorroding.

[0024] Yet another feature of the present invention permits cover 101 toregenerate its moisture-absorbing and storing features by diffusingstored moisture to outer surface 102 of the cover, where it canevaporate (as illustrated by arrows 122) into ambient environment 114when conditions there are suitable for evaporation. A further feature ofthe present invention is the ability to disperse one or more corrosionsinhibitors into regions 116 of the microenvironment formed beneath cover101 so that the corrosion inhibitors are deposited on the surface ofmetallic object 110, e.g., as a film 123.

[0025] As discussed in more detail below, each of these and otherfeatures may be incorporated into protective cover system 100 of thepresent invention either singly or in various combinations with oneanother. For example, one embodiment of cover 101 may be provided withthe moisture absorbing feature, but not the corrosion inhibitor feature.Likewise, another embodiment may be provided with the corrosioninhibitor feature, but not the moisture-absorbing feature. Of course,another embodiment may include both the moisture absorbing and corrosioninhibitor feature. Each of these embodiments may optionally be augmentedor supplemented as desired and/or appropriate with various otherfeatures, such as the surface wicking, edge wicking, radar influencing,evaporation augmenting, and panelization features, among others,described herein.

[0026] A beneficial attribute of protective cover system 100 of thepresent invention is that it can be made to any size and shape necessaryto protect an object having virtually any size and surface profile. Somediverse examples of such objects are containers for container ships,deck-mounted guns on naval ships, construction equipment, storedconstruction materials, air conditioning units and barbeque grills, toname just a few. Pouches made from cover 101 could be fashioned to storemunitions, tools, handguns and telephones and other electronic devicesto name just a few. One skilled in the art will recognize that there isa vast range of applications for protective cover system 100 of thepresent invention.

[0027]FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of protective cover system 100 of thepresent invention, which may include a cover identified by the numeral200. Cover 200 may comprise a liquid-permeable layer 202, aliquid-impermeable layer 204, and a moisture-absorbing layer 206sandwiched between the liquid-permeable and liquid-impermeable layers.With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, liquid-permeable layer 202 generallydefines inner surface 104 of cover 200 and may, among other things,retain the constituent material(s) (described below) ofmoisture-absorbing layer 206 within the cover. Liquid-permeable layer202 may be vapor permeable to allow moisture vapor within interiorregions 116 to reach moisture-absorbing layer 206 and liquid-permeableto allow any liquid water contacting inner surface 204 of cover 200 tobe wicked into the moisture-absorbing layer. In a typical embodiment,liquid-permeable layer 202 has a water transmission rate that is greaterthan 10 g/m²-hr, although the present invention encompasses the use ofliquid-permeable layers having somewhat lower water transmission rates.Liquid-permeable layer 202 may be made of any suitable material, such aswovens, knits, perforated films, open-cell foams, melt-blowns, orspunbonds, among others, or combination of materials, e.g., a wovenmaterial coated with a porous open-cell foam, that is liquid and vaporpermeable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the breadth andvariety of materials that may be used for liquid-permeable layer 202such that an exhaustive recitation of such materials is unnecessary forthose skilled in the art to understand the broad scope of the presentinvention.

[0028] For some applications, it is generally preferable, but notnecessary, that liquid-permeable layer 202 be made of a material thatcan withstand repeated use and continual contact with a wide variety ofsurfaces. It may also be preferable for some applications thatliquid-permeable layer 202 be relatively smooth and/or soft so thatdamage to an object contacted by liquid-permeable layer 202 may beavoided. An example of a material suitable for liquid-permeable layer202 is the K-Too™ un-backed knitted nylon available from HUB FabricLeather Company, Inc., Everett, Mass. Other suitable materials includepolyester mesh Style No. 9864, available from Fablock Mills, Murry Hill,N.J., and nylon, polypropylene, and other knits that are available fromFablock Mills Inc., Murry Hill, N.J., Jason Mills Inc., Westwood, N.J.,and Apex Mills, Inwood, N.Y., among others. These few examples of knitsare merely several particular materials the inventors have foundsuitable. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that suitablenon-knit materials are widely available and readily substitutable forthe knit materials mentioned above. Accordingly, those skilled in theart will also readily appreciate that an exhaustive presentation ofexemplary materials is not necessary to understand the broad scope ofthe present invention.

[0029] Moisture-absorbing layer 206 may include any suitable absorbentmaterial or combination of materials. For example, moisture-absorbinglayer may contain a matrix 210 and a superabsorbent material 208, e.g.,hydrogel, among others, dispersed within the matrix. Those skilled inthe art will understand that many superabsorbent and matrix materialsare known and may be used in conjunction with the present invention. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,317 to Brueggemann et al., which isincorporated herein by reference, describes a number of superabsorbentand matrix materials that may be used within moisture-absorbing layer206. Superabsorbent material 208 may be provided as particulate, fiber,or other form, which allows it to be dispersed throughout matrix 210.Alternatively, superabsorbent material 208 may be located in a generallydiscrete layer within matrix 210.

[0030] Examples of acceptable materials for matrix 210 include wool,fiberglass, polymer fleece, fluff wood pulp, and the like. It isdesirable that fiber matrix 210 be hydrophilic and have a highcapillarity, e.g., greater than 10 g/m²-hr (although lower capillarityrates are encompassed in the present invention), so that moisture cominginto contact with moisture-absorbing layer 206 through liquid-permeablelayer 202 may be wicked deep into moisture-absorbing layer 206 to takeadvantage of the superabsorbent material located there, if any. Althoughmatrix 210 is shown, it may be eliminated in an alternative embodimenthaving superabsorbent material 208 in a form that need not be supportedby, and/or located within, a matrix.

[0031] As mentioned, hydrogel is one example of a class ofsuperabsorbent materials suitable for superabsorbent material 208. Someforms of hydrogel are capable of absorbing up to 400 times their weightin water. With such a large absorption capability, particles of hydrogelcan swell to many times their original size. If the hydrogel particlesare not distributed properly throughout fiber matrix 210,moisture-absorbing layer 206 may experience “hydroblocking,” wherein thehydrogel particles closest to the moisture source swell so much thatthey block moisture from being wicked farther into the fiber matrix.Although some of the absorbed moisture eventually reaches the hydrogellocated deep within matrix 210 by diffusion, diffusion is a relativelyslow process that may degrade the usefulness of a cover experiencinghydroblocking, particularly in high-moisture conditions. Therefore, itis recommended care be taken to distribute a hydrogel-typesuperabsorbent material 208 within matrix 210 in a manner thatminimizes, or eliminates, hydroblocking so that when the superabsorbentmaterial and matrix adjacent liquid-permeable layer 202 is saturated,the matrix is still able to wick water deeper into moisture-absorbinglayer 206.

[0032] Liquid-impermeable layer 204 may define outer surface 102 ofcover 200 and may be selected to generally prevent liquid in ambientenvironment 114, such as rain, sea spray, dew, and the like, fromreaching interior regions 116 beneath the cover. It is preferable, butnot necessary, that liquid-impermeable layer 204 be made of one or morevapor-permeable materials to allow moisture stored in moisture-absorbinglayer 206 and/or present in interior regions 116 of the microenvironmentto escape into ambient environment 114 by diffusion and evaporation asdescribed above. In a typical embodiment, liquid-impermeable layer 204has a vapor transmission rate of greater than 1 g/m²-hr, althoughliquid-impermeable layers with lower vapor transmission rates may alsobe employed in certain circumstances.

[0033] The liquid transmission rate through the liquid-impermeable layer204 should be less than the employed vapor transmission rate for thislayer. For the typical lower bound of 1 g/m²hr. of vapor transmissionthrough liquid-impermeable layer 204, a liquid transmission rate throughthis layer could be any value less than 1 g/m²-hr. If the vaportransmission rate were greater, the corresponding acceptable level ofliquid transmission would be greater, as long as it remained less thanthe vapor transmission rate. By allowing stored moisture to escape,cover 200 is capable of regenerating itself, i.e., losing previouslyabsorbed and stored moisture to ambient environment 114, e.g., byevaporation, during periods of low moisture in the ambient environmentso that it may absorb and store more moisture during a subsequent periodwhen interior regions 116 again become moisture laden. Beneficially,liquid-impermeable layer 204 may also be designed to absorb solar energyto provide heat to cover 200 that accelerates regeneration ofmoisture-absorbing layer 206.

[0034] Liquid-impermeable layer 204 may comprise any suitable woven ornon-woven material or a combination of the two. As used herein and theclaims appended hereto, the term non-woven shall include any materialthat is not woven, e.g., a film, knit, foam, felt, melt-blown, spunbond,air-laid, cast material, extruded material, and molded material, amongothers. For example, in one embodiment of cover 200 whereinliquid-impermeable layer 204 is vapor permeable, the liquid-impermeablelayer may include one or more layers of various porous, vapor-permeablematerials, such as a laminate of a 200 denier nylon inner layer and abreathable urethane outer layer. Such a nylon/urethane laminate isavailable from LAMCOTEC Incorporated, Monson, Mass. Other suitableporous vapor-permeable materials include expandedpolytetrafluroethylene, GORE-TEX® fabric (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.,Newark, Del.), SUNBRELLA® fabric (Glen Raven Mills Inc., Glen Raven,N.C.), Hub Semi-Permeable fabric (Hub Fabric Leather Company, Everett,Mass.) or the like, may alternatively be used. Like liquid-permeablelayer 202, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoingexamples of suitable porous, vapor-permeable materials for liquidimpermeable layer 204 are merely representative of the many materialsthat may be used for this layer. Accordingly, an exhaustive list of suchsuitable materials herein is not necessary for those skilled in the artto understand the broad scope of the present invention.

[0035] In another embodiment of cover 200, liquid-impermeable layer 204may include a nonporous, water-vapor-permeable film that allows moisturecontained within moisture-absorbing layer 206 to be transported intoambient environment 114 when conditions are suitable for such transportto occur. Examples of such non-porous, water vapor permeable filmsinclude the copolyether ester films described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,870to Vrouenraets et al., e.g., SYMPATEX® film available from SympaTexTechnologies GmbH, Wuppertal, Germany, the copolyether amide filmsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,989,697 and 5,744,570, both to Gebben, andfilms comprising a tetrafluoroethylene matrix interspersed with sulfonicacid groups, e.g., NAFION® film available from E.I. DuPont de NemoursCompany, Wilmington, Del., among others. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4, 493,870,5,989,697, and 5,744,570 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] Generally, these films are non-porous so that liquid water andother substances cannot pass through them. It is believed that each ofthese films works on a molecular level to transport water molecules froma region on one side of the film having a relatively higher moisturecontent to a region on the other side of the film having a relativelylower moisture content by an adsorption/desorption process withinspecial hydrophilic polymer regions of the film. Typically, but notnecessarily, each of these non-porous, water vapor permeable films wouldbe continuously bonded, or otherwise attached, to a backing layer thatprovides support for the film. This is so because these films aregenerally very thin, e.g., on the order of tens of microns thick and,standing alone, would typically not be robust enough for some of thecontemplated applications of cover 200 of the present invention. Anexample of such a laminated composite is a 500 denier woven CORDURA®nylon fabric, which has been acid dyed and treated with a durable waterrepellent, laminated to a 15 micron thick SYMPATEX® film (CORDURA is aregistered trademark of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington,Del.). This laminate is available from Brookwood Companies, Inc., NewYork, N.Y.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, cover 200 may further include aheating element 212 (FIG. 3) that would allow moisture-absorbing layer206 to regenerate more quickly or regenerate when the conditions inambient environment 114 would otherwise not permit evaporation of thestored moisture. Such a heating element may comprise an electricalresistance wire grid located within one of the layers or betweenadjacent layers. Alternatively, the heating element may comprise arraysof thin, flexible heating elements consisting of etched-foil resistiveelements laminated between layers of flexible insulation like KAPTON®,NOMEX®, silicone rubber, or mica, or arrays of thin film ceramicelements available from Minco Products Incorporation, Minneapolis, Minn.and Watlow Gordon, Richmond, lll. among others (KAPTON® and NOMEX® areregistered trademarks of E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington,DE). Those skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of heatingelements 212 that may be incorporated into cover 200 if this feature isdesired.

[0038] In another alternative embodiment, cover 200 may further includea corrosion inhibitor 214 (FIG. 3) incorporated into one or more oflayers of the cover discussed above, into an additional layer, and/orinto one of more corrosion inhibitor sources generally separate from thecover. If one or more separate corrosion inhibitor sources are provided,each may be located within the microenvironment defined by the cover,e.g., in an interior region 116, or otherwise placed into communicationwith the microenvironment so that corrosion inhibitor (214) may enterthe microenvironment and provide protection to metallic object 110 (FIG.2). Examples of suitable materials for use as corrosion inhibitor 214include vapor, or vapor-phase, corrosion inhibitors (VCIs) (also knownas “volatile corrosion inhibitors”), contact corrosion inhibitors, andmigrating corrosion inhibitors, among others. Generally, VCIs arevolatile compounds that emit ions that condense on metallic surfaces toform a mono-molecular layer that interacts with corrosion agents toprotect the surface. Contact corrosion inhibitors generally requiresurface-tosurface contact with the object to be protected in order toprovide protection (although they may also migrate from one region toanother to some extent). Migrating corrosion inhibitors migrate througha solid diffusion process. Each of these types of corrosion inhibitingmaterials is generally continuously self-replenishing andenvironmentally benign,. These corrosion inhibiting materials may beused alone or in combination with one another as desired to suit aparticular application.

[0039] Examples of corrosion inhibiting materials include, among others,cyclohexylammonium benzoate, ethylamino benzoate, calcium sulfonate,calcium carbonate, sodium benzoate, amine salts, ammonium benzoate,silica, sodium sulfonate, triazole derivatives, such as toltriazol andbenzotriazol, alkali dibasic acid salts, alkali nitrites, such as sodiumnitrite, tall oil imidazolines, alkali metal molybdates,dyclohexylammonium nitrate, cyclohexylamine carbonate, andhexmethyleneimine nitrobenzoate. These materials may be obtained from anumber of sources, including Cortec Corporation, St. Paul, Minn.,Daubert Coated Products Incorporated, Westchester, Ill., Poly LamProducts, Buffalo, N.Y., Mil-Spec Packaging of Georgia Incorporated,Macon, Ga., and James Dawson Enterprises Limited, Grand Rapids, Mich.,among others. U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,160 to Chandler et al., which isincorporated herein by reference, lists the foregoing and othercompounds that may be suitable for use as corrosion inhibitor 214.

[0040] As mentioned, corrosion inhibitor 214 may be incorporated intoone or more of the above-described layers of cover, provided in one ormore layers separate from the layers of the cover, or may be provided ina separate corrosion inhibitor source, among other alternative. Whenprovide as a separate layer, corrosion inhibitor 214 may be incorporatedinto a coating applied to one or more of the layers, e.g., one or moreof layers 202, 204, 206, or incorporated into a separate layer (notshown), e.g., a separate film, woven, knit, melt-blown, spunbond, foam,or other layer, comprising a suitable vehicle material, such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon, among others. Those skilled inthe art will understand how the various corrosion inhibiting materialsmay be combined with various resins and other bases for providing avehicle for the corrosion inhibiting materials. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,028,160 to Chandler et al., mentioned above, discusses vehicleresin/VCI blends in the context of biodegradable polymeric films.Similar formulations may be used for non-biodegradable films. Inaddition, a vehicle resin/VCI blend may be used form a structure otherthan film, such as the woven, knit, melt-blown, spunbond, and foamstructures noted above.

[0041] The addition of a corrosion inhibitor 214 to cover 200 canenhance the corrosion inhibiting ability of the cover by allowing thecover to continue to provide protection when the moisture-absorbinglayer is overwhelmed. When moisture-absorbing layer 206 is present,which it need not be (see FIGS. 8A-C and accompanying discussion),corrosion inhibitor 214 may benefit from the presence of themoisture-absorbing layer because this layer removes the burden from thecorrosion inhibitor by not requiring it to offer protection at alltimes. It is noted that corrosion inhibitor 214 may be provided to anyembodiment of the cover of the present invention, such as those shown inFIGS. 4-8, and in any form, such as a coating, a separate layer,incorporation into one or more of the liquid-permeable,moisture-absorbing, and liquidimpermeable layers, and a separate source,each of which is described herein.

[0042] Layers 202, 204, 206 may be secured to one another in anysuitable manner. For example, these layers may be bonded to one anotherthroughout area 108 of cover 200 in a manner that does not interferewith its liquid and vapor transport features, yet retains the layers inphysical proximity to one another. Bonding processes known in the artmay be used to bond or join the layers of cover 200. For example,bonding processes such as thermal bonding or multi-component adhesivebonding may be used. Alternatively, the various layers of cover 200 maybe secured to one another by other means, such as stitching, or othermechanical fasteners, e.g., rivets, among others.

[0043] Depending on the size and materials of the cover, it may only benecessary to provide stitching adjacent peripheral edge 106. In otheruses, it may be desirable to provide quilt-stitching throughout thearea. Similarly, bonding may be continuous, only at peripheral edges, orin a quilted fashion, among others. Of course, various combinations offastening means may be used for securing different layers to one anotherand/or to secure the layers in different regions of cover 200. Forexample, liquid-impermeable layer 206 may be secured tomoisture-absorbing layer 206, e.g., by continuous bonding, whereasliquid-permeable layer 202 may be secured to the bonded combination ofthe liquid-impermeable and moisture-absorbing layers, e.g., by quiltstitching in area 108 and by continuous stitching adjacent peripheraledge 106. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the many variationsof securing the various layers of cover 200 to one another such that anexhaustive recitation of all possible securing means need not bedescribed in detail herein.

[0044] In a further alternative embodiment, liquid-impermeable layer 204may be removably secured to the other two layers 202 and 206 to allow itto be removed to speed regeneration of the moisture-absorbing layer intimes of favorable conditions in ambient environment. Refastenablefasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, zippers and the like,may be provided to facilitate this feature. Additionally,moisture-absorbing layer 206 may be bonded or formed via an airlaidprocess known in the art as a process of producing a nonwoven web offibers in sheet form where the fibers are transported and distributedvia air flows where the entire sheet is then set with a mixture ofbinders and resins.

[0045]FIG. 4 shows another specific embodiment of cover 101 of thepresent invention, which is identified by the numeral 300. Cover 300 maycomprise the three layers of cover 200 shown in FIG. 3, i.e., aliquid-permeable layer 302, a liquid-impermeable layer 304 and amoisture-absorbing layer 306 (these layers being identical,respectively, to layers 202, 204 and 206). In addition to these layers,cover 300 may further includes a radar-influencing layer 308.Radar-influencing layer 308 may comprise a radar-absorbing material 310,a radar-reflecting material 312 or a combination of both, depending uponthe desired radar profile of cover 300. With reference to FIG. 2, it maybe preferable to have entire area 108 of cover 300 be radar-attenuating.For example, in a military application it may be necessary to reduce theradar profile of a large object to conceal its identity. On the otherhand, it may be preferable to have entire area 108 be radar-enhancing.For example, in a civilian application it may be advantageous toincrease the radar profile of a small water craft to accentuate itspresence. In another instance, it may be desirable to provide area 108with alternating discrete radar-attenuating, radar-enhancing, and/orradar neutral regions to give cover 300 a custom radar profile.

[0046] Although radar-influencing layer 308 is shown located betweenliquid-impermeable layer 304 and moisture-absorbing layer 306, it may belocated elsewhere. For example, the radar-influencing layer may belocated between moisture-absorbing layer 306 and liquid-permeable layer304, adjacent outer surface 102 of cover 200, or the like. In addition,radar-absorbing material 310 and radar-reflecting material 312 may beincorporated into one or more of liquid-permeable layer 304,moisture-absorbing layer 306, and liquid-permeable layer 302. Generally,care should be taken, however, to select radar-absorbing and reflectingmaterials 310, 312 that do not interfere with the vapor and liquidtransport features of cover 300.

[0047] Radar-absorbing material 310, may comprise polypyrrole-coatedpolyester fibers, or the like, that may be made into a thread that isthen woven into a discrete fabric layer or one or more of layers 302,304, 306 of cover 300. Such textiles are available from Milliken & Co.,Spartanburg, S.C. under the trademark CONTEX®. Alternatively,radar-absorbing material 310 may comprise discrete particles and/orfibers of carbon, graphite, or the like dispersed within a fiber matrixor a coating that is applied to one of layers 302, 304, 306, or isapplied to a separate layer that is then incorporated into cover 300.Other examples of radar-absorbing materials are REX radar-absorbing mats(Milliken & Co., Spartanburg, S.C.) and RFWP Weatherproof Foam (R&FProducts, Inc., San Marcos, Calif.). Similar techniques may be used forradar-reflecting material 312, except that a metal, such as silver,copper, or compounds of such metals, or the like, which may be providedas a thread, discrete particles, or other form incorporated into cover300 in any suitable manner.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, there is shown yet anotherembodiment of cover 101 of the present invention, which is identified bythe numeral 400. In FIG. 5, cover 400, which may have the five-layerconstruction shown, is illustrated with its peripheral edge 106contacting surface 112, which may be, e.g., a ship's deck, tarmac, orother similar surface. In such applications, it can be common for alarge amount of liquid water to be absorbed by cover 400 at regionsadjacent peripheral edge, 106. This is so because much of the water fromambient environment 114, such as rain, sea spray, dew and the like,repelled by cover 400 from area 108 travels down the sloping portions ofthe cover, ending up adjacent peripheral edge 106. To prevent saturationof cover 400 in regions adjacent peripheral edge 106, additional layersmay be added to the three layer structure of FIG. 3 to provide aseparate zone for absorbing and storing moisture that may accumulate onsurface 112.

[0049] Accordingly, cover 400 may include an outer liquid-impermeablelayer 402, a first moisture-absorbing layer 404, an intermediateliquid-impermeable layer 406, a second moisture absorbing layer 408, anda liquid-permeable layer 410, which may confront one another in therecited order as shown. The primary purpose of outer liquid-impermeablelayer 402 is to prevent liquid water, such as rain, sea spray, dew andthe like, from penetrating into the microenvironment, e.g., interiorregions 116, beneath cover 400. Outer liquid-impermeable layer 402 mayinclude a return 412 to provide a seamless, robust structure atperipheral edge 106. The primary function of first moisture absorbinglayer 404 is to absorb and store moisture that collects on surface 112,whereas the primary function of second moisture absorbing layer 408 isto absorb and store moisture trapped in the microenvironment beneathcover 400.

[0050] Intermediate liquid-impermeable layer 406 prevents liquidmoisture stored in each of the moisture-absorbing layers from migratingto the other of such layers. At regions adjacent peripheral edge 106,this separation prevents second moisture-absorbing layer 408 frombecoming overburdened by moisture from surface 112. Preferably, bothliquid-impermeable layers are vapor permeable to allow cover 400 toregenerate passively by losing stored moisture to ambient environment114 when conditions there permit.

[0051] The peripheral edge of the intermediate liquid-impermeable layer406 is laterally spaced from peripheral edge 106 of cover 400 around theentire periphery of the cover to define an opening 414. When cover 400is draped over an object, such as metallic block 110, opening 414 maycontact, or be slightly spaced from, surface 112, allowing any moisturepresent on that surface to be wicked into first moisture-absorbing layer404. Depending on design parameters, such as materials selected, volumeof moisture to be absorbed, and the like, the width 416 of opening 414may be varied accordingly.

[0052]FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cover 500 according to the present invention,wherein the cover is panelized into a number of discrete panels, eachdenoted 502 and having an outer surface 504, an inner surface 506, and aperipheral edge 508. Panels 502 may be removably secured to one another,and to other panels (not shown) of similar construction, with fasteners510 located adjacent peripheral edge 508 of cover 500. Panelizationallows cover 500 of the present invention to be assembled to fit thesize and shape necessary for a particular application. To furtherenhance customization, one or more of the panels may be formed into ashape other than the rectangular shapes shown in FIG. 6. Panels 502 maybe any size desired to suit a particular application, with smaller sizepanels typically, but not necessarily, being used to conform cover 500to highly contoured surfaces. For example, for relatively large objectshaving regions of high contour, panels 502 may be on the order of 1 ft²(0.093 m²). Of course, panels 502 may be larger or smaller dependingupon the application, and different panels within cover 500 may differin size from one another. Larger panels 502 may be on the order of 100ft² (9.290 m²), 1,000 ft² (92.903 m²), or more.

[0053] Fasteners 510 may be of the hook-and-loop type, which typicallyincludes a flexible hook strip 512 and a flexible loop strip 514. Hookstrip 512 and loop strip 514 may alternately be secured to outer andinner surfaces 504, 506 adjacent peripheral edge 508 so that when theperipheral edge of one panel is overlaid the peripheral edge of anotherpanel the hook and loop strips engage one another to secure the panelsto one another. Loop strip 508 may be liquid-permeable so that itspresence does not interfere with the moisture absorbing properties ofcover 500 at its peripheral edge 508. Such hook-and-loop fasteners maybe VELCRO® brand hook-and-loop fasteners (Velcro Industries B.V.,Curacao, Netherlands) or the like. Alternatively, other types offasteners such as buttons, zippers, snaps, hook and eyelet, eyelet andlacing, among others, may be used for fasteners 504 or the panels may besewn together.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, each panel 502 comprises a three-layerstructure of a liquid-impermeable outer layer 516, a moisture-absorbingintermediate layer 518 and, a liquid-permeable inner layer 520, whichare identical, respectively, to layers 204, 206, 202 of cover 200 ofFIG. 3. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thateach panel 502 may have, any other construction, such as theconstruction of covers 300, 400, and 600, described above and below. Inthis connection, each panel 502 may include any combination of layersand/or features described herein desired to suit a particularapplication.

[0055]FIG. 8A shows another cover 600 of protective cover system 100 ofthe present invention. Cover 600 may include a water-vapor-permeablelayer 602 and at least one corrosion inhibitor 604.Water-vapor-permeable layer 602 may be made of any suitable porous ornon-porous water-vapor-permeable material, which includes the expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene, copolyether ester, copolyether amide, andtetrafluoroethylene/sulfonic acid materials described above inconnection with liquid-impermeable layer 204 of cover 200 (FIG. 3),among others. A non-porous water-vapor-permeable layer 602 may have afunctional advantage over conventional porous liquid-impermeablematerials in that not only do these non-porous materials prevent thepassage of liquid water through the layer, but they typically alsoprevent molecules of corrosion inhibitor 604 from passing therethrough.Most conventional porous water-vapor-permeable layers allow at least thesmallest molecules of corrosion inhibiting materials to pass throughthem.

[0056] Typically, but not necessarily, water-vapor-permeable layer 602is a relatively thin layer, often on the order of about 5 microns toabout 100 microns, or greater, thick. Such a thin layer is generally notpracticable for use as a stand-alone protective layer, particularly forlarge protective covers subject to harsh weather elements. Therefore,cover 600 may also include a support layer 606, which may be made of arelatively durable and water-vapor-permeable material to provide agenerally robust, but breathable, outer shell. Support layer 606 may becontinuously bonded to liquid-impermeable layer and may be made of anysuitable porous material, such as the woven, film, knit, foam, felt,melt-blown, spunbond, cast, extruded, molded, and expanded materialsdescribed above in connection with liquid-permeable layer 202 and liquidimpermeable 204 layer of cover 200 (FIG. 3), among others.

[0057] Corrosion inhibitor 604 may be any one or more corrosioninhibiting materials, including the corrosion inhibiting materials notedabove with respect to corrosion inhibitor 214 of cover 200. Likecorrosion inhibitor 214, corrosion inhibitor 604 may be provided tocover 600 in any one of a number of ways. For example, FIG. 8A showscorrosion inhibitor 604 as being incorporated into water-vapor-permeablelayer 604. This may be accomplished, e.g., by adding one or morecorrosion inhibiting materials to the resin of water-vapor-permeablelayer 604. Resin/corrosion inhibitor blending is discussed above in thecontext of VCIs in connection with cover 200. Similarly, FIG. 8B showscorrosion inhibitor 604 as being incorporated into an optional liquid-and/or vapor-permeable layer 608 located adjacent the interior face ofwater-vapor-permeable layer 602, e.g., by blending one or more corrosioninhibiting materials with the resin of layer 608. Layer 608 may beattached to layer 602 either continuously or intermittently, or may notbe attached to layer 602 at all, except perhaps at the outer periphery(not shown) of cover 600.

[0058]FIG. 8C shows corrosion inhibitor 604 as being incorporated into acoating 610 applied to cover 600, e.g., to water-vapor-permeable layer602. Depending upon the permeability of coating 610, the coating may beapplied either continuously or intermittently such thatwater-vapor-permeable layer 602 can provide its vapor-transportfunction. Coating 610 may comprise any one or more of the corrosioninhibiting materials identified above, or other corrosion inhibitingmaterial(s), in a binder suitable for being applied to cover 600 as acoating.

[0059]FIG. 9 shows corrosion inhibitor 604 contained in separatecorrosion inhibitor source 612. Corrosion inhibitor source 612 may beany suitable source, other than layers 602, 606, 608 and coating 610described above, for holding and releasing one or more corrosioninhibiting materials into the microenvironment defined by cover, e.g.,regions 116 of FIG. 2. For example, corrosion inhibitor source 612 maycomprise a container 614 and a closure 616 suitably secured to thecontainer. Closure 616 and/or container 614 may include one or moreapertures 618 for allowing corrosion inhibitor 604 to escape therefromand into the microenvironment beneath cover 600. Corrosion inhibitorsource 612 may be placed anywhere it may be in communication with themicroenvironment, e.g., by placing it in one of interior regions 116, sothat corrosion inhibitor 604 may enter the microenvironment and provideprotection to metallic object 110 (FIG. 2). If desired, corrosioninhibitor source 612 may be located outside the microenvironment andplaced into communication with the microenvironment using one or moreducts or other conduits (not shown) that communicate with themicroenvironment.

[0060] Depending upon the size of the object to be protected and/or thearrangement of the microenvironment, e.g., the microenvironment mayinclude interior regions 116 (FIG. 2) not in fluid communication withone another, more than one corrosion inhibitor source 612 may be used.Corrosion inhibitor source 612 may optionally be provided with a seal620 or other means for opening apertures 618 to allow corrosioninhibitor 604 to escape. Seal 620 may be removed just prior to corrosioninhibitor source 612 being placed into the microenvironment.

[0061] Like cover 300 of FIG. 4, discussed above, that containsradar-influencing layer 308, any of the embodiments of cover 600 shownin FIGS. 8A-D may contain a radar-influencing layer containing one ormore radar-reflecting and/or radar-absorbing materials, such asmaterials 310, 312 mentioned above in connection with cover 300. Such aradar-influencing materials may be located in any of layers 602, 606,608, or coating 610, or may be provided in a layer separate from theselayers and located on either side of water-vapor-permeable layer 602.Those skilled in the art will readily understand how one or more radarinfluencing materials may be incorporated into cover 600 such that adetailed explanation need not be provided in detail herein.

[0062] In each of the above exemplary embodiments of the cover system ofthe present invention, the extent of the various layers was notdescribed with particularity. For example, the discussion of moistureabsorbing layer 206 in the context of cover 200 and FIG. 3 directed tothis embodiment did not particularly indicate whether or not themoisture-absorbing layer is coextensive with liquid-permeable layer 202and/or liquid-impermeable layer 204. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, the various layers of a cover according to the presentinvention may be coextensive with the area of the cover, but may also besmaller in area than the cover. For example, in FIG. 3 just mentioned,moisture-absorbing layer 206 and/or liquid-permeable layer 202 mayextend over only a portion of liquid-impermeable layer 204. In addition,moisture-absorbing layer 206 and/or liquid-permeable layer 202 may be“discretized” so as to be present in certain spaced locations that mayor may not correspond to particular locations, e.g., flatwater-retaining surfaces, of the object to be covered.

[0063] Although those skilled in the art will immediately recognize thevariety of arrangements that these discretized locations may have,examples of “regular” arrangements include a “window-pane” arrangement,wherein rectangular regions of moisture-absorbing and/orliquid-permeable layers are separated by regions where thematerials/characteristics of these layers are not present, and a“striped” arrangement, wherein the cover includes strips where thematerials/characteristics of the moisture-absorbing and/orliquid-permeable layers are alternatingly present and not present. Thistype of discretization of the moisture-absorbing and liquid-permeablelayers is applicable to any embodiment containing such layers. Otherlayers, such as a separate corrosion inhibitor layer or aradar-influencing layer, may be discretized in a similar manner in anyembodiment containing such layer(s). Of course, alternatively theselayers, too, may be coextensive with the cover. Similarly, inembodiments wherein a corrosion inhibitor, radar-influencing material,or other material is incorporated into one or more of theliquid-impermeable, moisture-absorbing, and/or liquid-permeable layers,as the case may be, the corrosion inhibitor or radar-influencingmaterial may be placed in discretized locations with respect to the areaof the corresponding cover.

[0064] Although the invention has been described and illustrated withrespect to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changed,omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without partingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective cover system for protecting anobject by defining a microenvironment adjacent the object when theprotective cover system is applied to the object, comprising: (a) acover for being applied to the object and defining a microenvironmentwhen said cover is applied to the object, said cover including a firstlayer comprising a non-porous water-vapor-permeable layer; and (b) acorrosion inhibitor source that provides at least one corrosioninhibitor to the microenvironment when said cover is applied to theobject, said corrosion inhibitor source being in communication with themicroenvironment when said cover is applied to the object so that atleast some of said corrosion inhibitor may enter the microenvironment.2. A protective cover system according to claim 1, wherein said at leastone corrosion inhibitor is dispersed within said non-porouswater-vapor-permeable layer.
 3. A protective cover system according toclaim 1, wherein said cover includes an inner face that confronts theobject when said cover is applied to the object and a second layerconfronting said inner face, said at least one corrosion inhibitor beingcontained in said second layer.
 4. A protective cover system accordingto claim 3, wherein said second layer is a coating.
 5. A protectivecover system according to claim 3, wherein said second layer comprises aporous non-coating.
 6. A protective cover system according to claim 1,wherein said corrosion inhibitor source comprises a container and saidat least one corrosion inhibitor is contained in said container.
 7. Aprotective cover system according to claim 1, wherein said coverincludes an outer face that faces away from the object when said coveris applied to the object and further includes a second layer thatconfronts said outer face and comprises a porous material.
 8. Aprotective cover system according to claim 7, wherein said second layeris located immediately adjacent said outer face and is attached to saidfirst layer.
 9. A protective cover system according to claim 7, whereinsaid cover further includes an inner face spaced from said outer faceand a third layer that confronts said inner face of said first layer andcomprises a liquid-permeable material.
 10. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 9, wherein said cover further comprises a fourthlayer disposed between said first layer and said fourth layer andcomprises a superabsorbent material.
 11. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said cover includes an inner face thatconfronts the object when said cover is applied to the object andfurther includes a second layer that confronts said inner face andcomprises a superabsorbent material.
 12. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said non-porous water-vapor-permeable filmis one of (a) a copolyether ester, (b) a copolyether amide, (c) abranched polyether with a maximum of three reactive isocyanate groupsper molecule, and (d) a perfluorosulfonic acid product.
 13. A protectivecover system according to claim 1, wherein said cover comprises at leastone radar-influencing material having a pre-selected radar influencingability.
 14. A protective cover system according to claim 13, whereinsaid at least one radar-influencing material is located in said firstlayer.
 15. A protective cover system according to claim 13, wherein saidcover further comprises a second layer and said radar-influencingmaterial is contained in said second layer.
 16. A protective coversystem for protecting an object by defining a microenvironment adjacentthe object when the protective cover system is applied to the object,comprising: (a) a cover for being applied to the object and defining themicroenvironment when said cover is applied to the object and including:(i) a first layer comprising a water-vapor-permeable material; and (ii)a second layer, attached to said first layer, comprising a porousmaterial and providing support for said first layer; and (b) a corrosioninhibitor source comprising at least one corrosion inhibitor and influid communication with the microenvironment when said cover is appliedto the object for providing said at least one corrosion inhibitor to themicroenvironment.
 17. A protective cover system according to claim 16,wherein said water-vapor-permeable material forms a non-porous layer.18. A protective cover system according to claim 16, wherein saidvapor-permeable layer comprises a porous material.
 19. A protectivecover system according to claim 16, wherein said first layer containssaid at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 20. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 16, wherein said first layer has an inner face thatconfronts the object when said cover is applied to the object and saidcover includes a third layer that confronts said inner face and containssaid at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 21. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 16, wherein said corrosion inhibitor source comprisesa container that contains said at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 22. Aprotective cover system according to claim 16, wherein first layer hasan inner face and an outer face and said second layer confronts saidouter face, said cover further including a third layer that confrontssaid inner face and comprises a liquid-permeable material.
 23. Aprotective cover system according to claim 22, wherein said coverfurther comprises a superabsorbent layer disposed between said first andthird layers.
 24. A protective cover system according to claim 16,wherein said first layer has an inner face that confronts the objectwhen said cover is applied to the object and said cover furthercomprises a superabsorbent layer confronting said inner face.
 25. Aprotective cover system according to claim 16, wherein said covercomprises at least one radar-influencing material having a pre-selectedradar influencing ability.
 26. A protective cover system according toclaim 25, wherein said at least one radar-influencing material islocated in at least one of said first and second layers.
 27. Aprotective cover system according to claim 25, further comprising athird layer, wherein said radar-influencing material is contained insaid third layer.
 28. A protective cover system for inhibiting corrosionof an object by forming a microenvironment adjacent the object when theprotective cover system is applied to the object, comprising: (a) acover that includes: (i) a first layer having a first face and a secondface and comprising an absorbent material adapted to absorb and storemoisture; and (ii) a second layer located adjacent said first face ofsaid first layer and being liquid-impermeable; and (b) a corrosioninhibitor source that comprises at least one corrosion inhibitor andfluidly communicates with the microenvironment when said cover isapplied to the object.
 29. A protective cover system according to claim28, wherein said absorbent material is a superabsorbent material.
 30. Aprotective cover system according to claim 28, wherein said first layerfurther comprises a fiber matrix.
 31. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 30, wherein said absorbent material is dispersedthroughout said fiber matrix.
 32. A protective cover system according toclaim 30, wherein said absorbent material is a superabsorbent.
 33. Aprotective cover system according to claim 28, wherein said second layeris water vapor permeable.
 34. A protective cover system according toclaim 33, wherein said second layer comprises an non-porous layer.
 35. Aprotective cover system according to claim 33, wherein said second layercomprises a laminate of a woven fabric layer and a breathable urethanelayer.
 36. A protective cover system according to claim 28, wherein saidsecond layer is removably secured to said first layer.
 37. A protectivecover system according to claim 28, wherein the protective cover systemfurther includes a heating element in thermal communication with saidcover.
 38. A protective cover system according to claim 37, wherein saidheating element comprises an electrical resistance wire located withinthe cover.
 39. A protective cover system according to claim 28, whereinsaid corrosion inhibitor source comprises at least one of said firstlayer and said second layer.
 40. A protective cover system according toclaim 28, wherein said cover includes a third layer that comprises saidcorrosion inhibitor source.
 41. A protective cover system according toclaim 40, wherein said third layer is liquid permeable.
 42. A protectivecover system according to claim 40, wherein said third layer is acoating.
 43. A protective cover system according to claim 28, whereinsaid corrosion inhibitor source comprises a container that contains saidat least one corrosion inhibitor.
 44. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 28, wherein said cover further comprises at least oneradar-influencing material having a pre-selected radar influencingability.
 45. A protective cover system according to claim 44, whereinsaid at least one radar absorbing material is incorporated into at leastone of said first and second layers.
 46. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 44, wherein said cover further comprises a thirdlayer comprising said at least one radar-influencing material having apre-selected radar influencing ability.
 47. A protective cover systemaccording to claim 28, further comprising a third layer confronting saidsecond side of said first layer and being liquid permeable.
 48. A panelfor a protective cover for a metallic object, comprising: (a) a firstlayer having a first face and a second face, said first layer comprisinga superabsorbent material adapted to absorb and store moisture; (b) asecond layer located adjacent said first face of said first layer, saidsecond layer being liquid-impermeable and having a peripheral edge; and(c) a fastener located adjacent said peripheral edge, said fasteneradapted to removably fasten the panel to a similar, separate, panel;wherein the panel has an area of at least 3 ft² (0.279 m²).
 49. A panelaccording to claim 48, wherein said second layer is water vaporpermeable.
 50. A panel according to claim 49, wherein said second layercomprises a non-porous layer.
 51. A panel according to claim 48, furtherincluding a first side and a second side and said fastener comprises ahook-and-loop fastener that includes a hook portion and a loop portion,said hook portion being secured to said first side of the panel and saidloop portion being secured to said second side of the panel.
 52. A panelaccording to claim 48, further including at least one corrosioninhibitor source comprising at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 53. Apanel for a protective cover for an object, comprising: (a) a firstlayer having a first face and a second face and comprising aliquid-impermeable water-vapor-permeable material; (b) a second layercontinuously attached to said first layer at said first face of saidfirst layer and being made of a porous material and having a peripheraledge; and (c) a fastener located adjacent said peripheral edge, saidfastener adapted to removably fasten the panel to a similar, separate,panel.
 54. A panel according to claim 53, wherein said first layercomprises a non-porous layer.
 55. A panel according to claim 53, whereinsaid first layer comprises a porous layer.
 56. A panel according toclaim 53, wherein the cover further includes a first side and a secondside and said fastener comprises a hook-and-loop fastener that includesa hook portion and a loop portion, said hook portion being secured tosaid first side of the panel and said loop portion being secured to saidsecond side of the panel.
 57. A method of inhibiting corrosion on ametallic object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cover thatincludes: (i) a first layer having a first face and a second face andcomprising an absorbent material, said first layer adapted to absorb andstore moisture; and (ii) a second layer located adjacent said secondface of said first layer and being liquid impermeable; and p1 coveringat least a portion of the metallic object with said cover such that saidfirst layer confronts the metallic object so as to form amicroenvironment beneath the cover.
 58. A method according to claim 57,further comprising the step of introducing at least one corrosioninhibitor into said microenvironment so as to form a protective film onthe metallic object.
 59. A method of inhibiting corrosion on a metallicobject, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cover comprising anon-porous water-vapor-permeable layer; (b) covering at least a portionof the metallic object with said cover so as to define amicroenvironment beneath said cover; and (c) introducing at least onecorrosion inhibitor into said microenvironment so as to form aprotective film on the metallic object.
 60. A method of inhibitingcorrosion on a metallic object, comprising the steps of: (a) providing acover comprising a liquid-impermeable water-vapor-permeable layer and aporous layer attached to said liquid-impermeable water-vapor-permeablelayer; (b) covering at least a portion of the metallic object with saidcover so that said liquid-impermeable water-vapor-permeable layerconfronts the metallic object and defines a microenvironment beneathsaid cover; and (c) introducing at least one corrosion inhibitor intosaid microenvironment so as to form a protective film on the metallicobject.
 61. A protective cover for a metallic object, comprising: (a) afirst layer having a first face and a second face, said first layercomprising a superabsorbent material adapted to absorb and storemoisture; (b) a second layer, confronting said first face of said firstlayer, comprising a non-porous water vapor permeable film; and (c) athird layer, confronting said second face of said first layer,comprising liquid permeable material.
 62. A protective cover accordingto claim 61, further comprising at least one corrosion inhibitor.
 63. Apanelized cover system for protecting an object from moisture,comprising: a plurality of panels each comprising: (i) a first layerhaving a first face and a second face, said first layer comprising anabsorbent material adapted to absorb and store the moisture; (ii) asecond layer located adjacent said first face of said first layer, saidsecond layer being liquid-impermeable; and wherein each of saidplurality of panels is fastened to at least one adjacent one of saidplurality of panels.
 64. A panelized cover system according to claim 63,wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of panels are fastened to oneanother with a sewn seam.
 65. A panelized cover system according toclaim 63, wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of panels are fastenedto one another with a refastenable fastener.
 66. A panelized coversystem for protecting an object by forming a microenvironmentsurrounding the object when the panelized cover system is applied to theobject, comprising: a plurality of panels each comprising: (i) a firstlayer having a first face and a second face and comprising aliquid-impermeable waer-vapor-permeable material; (ii) a second layercontinuously attached to said first layer at said first face of saidfirt layer and being made of a porous material; and (iii) a corrosioninhibitor source for providing at least one corrosion inhibitor to themicroenvironment when the panelized cover system is applied to theobject; wherein each of said plurality of panels is steed to at leat oneadjacent one of said plurality of panels.
 64. A panelized cover systemaccording to claim 66, wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of panelsare stened to one another with a sewn seam.
 65. A panelized cover systemaccording to claim 66, wherein adjacent ones of said plurality of panelsare fastened to one another with a refastenable fastener.